Incident report

Buxton Mountain Rescue Team was engaged in one of its regular weekend, search training exercises when a genuine call-out was received.  It was a freezing night with a strong easterly wind and the possibility of snow later.

A young couple from Leicester had been rough camping since Friday night and had gone for a walk onto Kinder.  Late Saturday evening, when darkness had fallen, they became disorientated and lost their way.  They called the police and the PDMRO Duty Controller was duly contacted.

Buxton and Edale teams were both alerted to the potential search.  However, following use of SARLOC (a web-based tracking device) the couple’s position was plotted as being on Broadlee Bank and in the middle of the Buxton team’s exercise search area.  A group of team members already on the hill broke away from the exercise and another group of team members climbed from the valley.  Rescuers were with the couple within 30 minutes and following a swift assessment both casualties were deemed to be cold but unharmed and both were in good spirits.

The most challenging part of the event was trying to find their tent which was pitched somewhere just off the Pennine Way.  Eventually it was located and the couple reunited with their sleeping bags.

Photo credit:  BMRT  –  The couple from Leicester safely back at their tent.

Not specifically a rescue team issue but folks are reminded that rough camping is not permitted under the land access agreement within the National Park or on land subject to The Countryside Rights of Way Act.